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Ten Non-NCAA Teams to Watch in 2011-12

Raphielle Johnson — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 23:03:56 -0700

While many tend to ignore the "other" postseason tournaments in March due to the overwhelming popularity of the NCAA Tournament, there's an awful lot to be gained from said events especially if a team has a lot due back the following season. So similar to those bowl games outside of the BCS in college football, teams gain valuable practice and game experience. Below are ten teams (in alphabetical order) who fit the mold, including one that didn't play in the postseason at all, and could make some noise in 2011-12.

(1) Alabama (25-12, 12-4 SEC)
Anthony Grant's Crimson Tide were ultimately done in by a non-conference schedule that featured losses to the likes of Iowa, Providence and Seton Hall, having to settle for a Postseason NIT berth as a result. But they took advantage of the extra games, getting all the way to the title game before falling to Wichita State. While Alabama will have three seniors to replace (Charvez Davis, Senario Hillman and Chris Hines) the top three scorers will be back, including forwards JaMychal Green and Tony Mitchell. Guard Trevor Releford was one of the best freshmen in the SEC this season, and a four-player recruiting class led by guard Levi Randolph and forward Nick Jacobs will likely keep Bama atop the SEC West at the very least.

(2) Baylor (18-13, 7-9 Big 12)
Scott Drew's Bears were arguably the most disappointing team in America, going from a team some thought could make some noise to one that didn't play anywhere in the postseason. The Big 12's all-time leading scorer (LaceDarius Dunn) graduates but with Perry Jones III deciding to return to Waco next season look for high expectations once again. Quincy Acy and Anthony Jones will also return up front, and the addition of guard Deuce Bello and forward Quincy Miller will add even more talent-wise. But the biggest question is point guard play, something that cost the Bears dearly this season. If A.J. Walton and JUCO transfer Pierre Jackson can take care of the basketball look out. But if not, things could get sloppy.

(3) Harvard (23-7, 12-3 Ivy)
Tommy Amaker's Crimson put forth arguably the best season in school history but thanks to Doug Davis' shot at the buzzer that still wasn't enough to get back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1946. But for many who follow the Ivy League 2011-12 was supposed to be Harvard's year, and with everyone expected back that may very well be the case. Kyle Casey and Keith Wright will lead the way up front, and guards such as Oliver McNally, Laurent Rivard and Christian Webster can get it done on the perimeter. Add in the Ivy's best incoming recruiting class that's six-deep and should at the very least offer a challenge in practice, and Harvard could very well end up in the Big Dance.

(4) Iona (25-13, 13-5 MAAC)
Tim Cluess' Gaels picked the wrong time to go cold offensively, struggling to crack the tough Saint Peter's defense in the MAAC Tournament final and ending up in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament as a result. Iona reached the title game in that event as well, losing to Santa Clara but gaining valuable game and practice time as a result. The lone departures will be seniors Rashon Dwight and Alejo Rodriguez, and with point guard Scott Machado and power forward Mike Glover leading the way Iona could be the preseason favorite in the MAAC. The key for the Gaels: defense. If they can defend at a solid clip this will be a tough team to beat given all the offensive weapons at Coach Cluess' disposal.

(5) Kent State (25-12, 12-4 MAC)
Of the ten teams on this list Kent State is the only one to lose it's head coach, with Geno Ford moving on to take the Bradley job. But by no means does that kill the Golden Flashes' chances of getting to the NCAA Tournament. New head coach Rob Senderoff obviously knows the personnel having been promoted from assistant, and with just one of their top five scorers (Rodriguez Sherman) moving on Kent State can win a lot of games next season. Justin Greene and Carlton Guyton are the leading returning scorers, and incoming freshman Kris Brewer should help make up for Sherman's departure on the perimeter. Tough to peg the MAC given its wild nature, but look for the Golden Flashes to be one of the favorites.

(6) Long Beach State (22-12, 14-2 Big West)
Dan Monson's 49ers took on one of the toughest schedules in the nation last season, with Larry Anderson missing a decent portion of that stretch due to injury. But once he returned The Beach took control of the Big West, comfortably winning the Big West regular season title before falling to UCSB in the tournament final. The top three scorers all return and that includes Anderson in addition to guard Casper Ware and forward T.J. Robinson, and another tough non-conference schedule will prepare them for another run through the Big West. But for one-bid leagues one weekend in early March can undo all that hard work, something Long Beach State will be more than aware of.

(7) Montana (21-11, 12-4 Big Sky)
Wayne Tinkle's Grizzlies were one win away from representing the Big Sky in the NCAA Tournament, falling to regular season champ Northern Colorado in the title game on the road. But with the Bears taking on heavy personnel losses it's unlikely they're the preseason favorite to win the league, and with all that Montana has coming back they likely assume that role. The Grizzlies do have to replace big man Brian Qvale but Derek Selvig returns for his senior campaign, and the backcourt should be in good hands with Will Cherry, Kareem Jamar and Art Steward. It should surprise no one if Montana were to be the Big Sky's tournament representative.

(8) Oral Roberts (19-16, 13-5 Summit)
The last two seasons it's been Oakland who has won the Summit League, but despite the return of Reggie Hamilton the Golden Grizzles do have to account for important losses including big man Keith Benson. So who has the good to challenge Oakland if not dethrone them? Scott Sutton's Golden Eagles look to be in good position to do so, with Dominique Morrison leading the way. ORU's top five scorers are all due back and in Morrison they've got a tough scorer who most likely will be the preseason Player of the Year in the Summit League. It should be a good year for the Golden Eagles, and that may be a conservative statement.

(9) Santa Clara (24-14, 8-6 WCC)
There will be two major national storylines in the West Coast Conference to start next season: the arrival of BYU (football independence but all other sports in the WCC) and Gonzaga being the preseason favorite to win the conference. But people had better not ignore Kerry Keating's Broncos, who won the CollegeInsider.com Tournament and replace just one senior of note (Ben Dowdell). Kevin Foster, Evan Roquemore and Marc Trasolini all return for Santa Clara, and they also welcome in a four-member recruiting class with Robert Garrett having the ability to add some interior depth. If anyone in the WCC can prevent Gonzaga from coasting to the conference title it may be Santa Clara.

(10) Wichita State (29-8, 14-4)
Gregg Marshall's Shockers were the preseason favorites to win the Missouri Valley and while they didn't accomplish that feat in either the regular season (Missouri State) or postseason (Indiana State), Wichita State was able to win the Postseason NIT. There will be some key losses, most notably leading scorer J.T. Durley, but given the number of players due back and the offensive balance (eight players scored at least six points per game) the Shockers could make a run at the regular season crown. David Kyles, Toure Murry and Garrett Stutz all return, and with Coach Marshall giving so many guys a chance to play meaningful minutes this year the Shockers should be able to hit the ground running in 2011-12.

Five others: California (18-15, 10-8 Pac-10), UCF (21-12, 6-10 Conference USA), Drexel (21-10, 11-7 CAA), Florida Atlantic (21-11, 13-3 Sun Belt), New Mexico (22-13, 8-8 Mountain West).

West Region Final Thoughts: What's in Store for 2011-12?

Raphielle Johnson — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 15:13:10 -0700

The final region is the West, which is where Connecticut began their run to the national title. While some of the departures in this region will steal the majority of the ink there are a number of teams who should feel good about their prospects in 2011-12. Below is a quick breakdown of each of the 16 teams.

(1) Duke: lost to Arizona in the Sweet 16
The Blue Devils were able to win 32 games in a season that saw their most talented player (Kyrie Irving) play in just 11 games, and they had senior guard Nolan Smith to thank for that. Smith took his game to another level in Irving's absence and the Blue Devils were good enough to earn a one seed without the freshman phenom. But after two wins in Charlotte they ran into a buzz saw in the second half of the Sweet 16, getting blown out by an Arizona team that many may have underestimated going into the tournament. The good news for Mike Krzyzewski and his staff is that they've got one of the best recruiting classes coming in with Quinn Cook and Austin Rivers the heir apparent in the backcourt for Irving and Smith. As for replacing Kyle Singler keep an eye on freshman small forward Mike Gbinije, the lone member of the four-player class to not be named a McDonald's All-American. 2011-12 is a big year for Mason Plumlee, arguably the one member of the frontcourt with the ability to become a lottery pick at the next level.

(2) San Diego State: lost to Connecticut in the Sweet 16
Steve Fisher's Aztecs put together the best season in school history, winning 34 games and losing to no team other than BYU before the Sweet 16 loss to UConn. But 2011-12 is setting up to be a serious rebuilding year for SDSU, with key seniors Brian Carlwell, D.J. Gay, Malcolm Thomas and Billy White all moving on. There's also the matter of what Kawhi Leonard may decide to do, and he's got quite the dilemma with a number of draft websites projecting him to be a first round pick (if not lottery). Should Leonard not return to school the keys to the Aztecs go to the likes of James Rahon and Chase Tapley not to mention Jamaal Franklin, who saw his playing time increase late in the season. Incoming recruits Deshawn Stephens and Kevin Young will likely be expected to contribute right away, but all signs point towards SDSU having a tough road back to the Big Dance in front of them.

(3) Connecticut: National Champions
Jim Calhoun's Huskies pulled off what many thought impossible, winning five games in five days to win the Big East Championship then moving on to claim the national title three weeks later. Guard Kemba Walker was the player of the month in all of college basketball, and with his number already added to the school's Ring of Honor and graduation on May 8th it's extremely difficult to expect the projected lottery pick to return. Seniors Donnell Beverly and Charles Okwandu move on as well, but there's a lot of talent remaining in Storrs for another run next season. Jeremy Lamb, Shabazz Napier, Alex Oriakhi and Roscoe Smith should all be back, and other contributors (Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, Niels Giffey and Tyler Olander being three) will have the chance to increase their production as well. Add in the electric guard Ryan Boatright and the Huskies will be pretty good in 2011-12.

(4) Texas: lost to Arizona in the third round
At one point this season Rick Barnes' team looked like a serious threat to win a national title, only to falter down the stretch and end up with a four-seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Longhorns managed to beat Oakland in the second round but late-game issues (and a quick 5-second count) did them in against Arizona. Jordan Hamilton and Tristan Thompson, two likely lottery picks, both announced that they're returning to the 40 Acres next season and the move makes Texas an early favorite in the Big 12 as well as nationally. Dogus Balbay and Gary Johnson are the major personnel losses for Texas, and the addition of one of the nation's best recruiting classes led by point guard Myck Kabongo and shooting guard Shedon McClellan should more than make up for the losses. Texas' talent won't be questioned, but that doesn't make up for late-game and strategic issues. Solve those and Texas could wind up in New Orleans.

(5) Arizona: lost to Connecticut in the Elite Eight
Year two under Sean Miller paid major dividends for Arizona, as they won 30 games, a Pac-10 regular season title and finished one shot away from the Final Four. Arizona had just one senior (Jamelle Horne) this season but how highly they're ranked next season hinges on the decision of power forward Derrick Williams. Williams was one of the best players in America all season but may have been done in by the national reputation of the Pac-10 when it came to the All-America teams. But even if the California native chooses to go pro the Wildcats will be one of the contenders in the Pac-12 (Colorado and Utah join in July), with guards Kyle Fogg and MoMo Jones in addition to wings Solomon Hill and Kevin Parrom all due back. Add in a recruiting class led by a pair of Oakland Soldiers (Nick Johnson and Josiah Turner) and it could be a very good year in Tucson. The most important newcomers, if Williams were to leave, become forwards Angelo Chol and Sidiki Johnson.

(6) Cincinnati: lost to Connecticut in the third round
After an undefeated run through their non-conference schedule and a solid beginning to Big East play Mick Cronin's Bearcats hit a rough patch heading into the month of February. But they turned things around, ultimately beating Missouri before falling to fellow Big East member and eventual national champ Connecticut in the third round. Cronin eventually received a six-year extension and while the Bearcats do have to replace six seniors (including Rashad Bishop, Larry Davis, Dion Dixon and Ibrahima Thomas) this is a team whose best play may come in 2011-12. Yancy Gates finished the season very well, and guards Sean Kilpatrick and Cashmere Wright had solid campaigns as well. The returning group in addition to a recruiting class led by Jermaine Sanders and Shaquille Thomas should mean another NCAA Tournament for Cincinnati.

(7) Temple: lost to San Diego State in the third round
Fran Dunphy's Owls finally picked up that elusive NCAA Tournament victory, beating Penn State before giving San Diego State all they wanted in the third round. And considering the injuries in the frontcourt 26 wins was a very good output for this group, but Temple will have to figure out a way to account for the graduation of Lavoy Allen next season. The perimeter could end up being the best in the Atlantic 10 next season with Juan Fernandez, Ramone Moore and Khalif Wyatt all returning and a solid freshman in Will Cummings joining the program. Up front Micheal Eric will need to build upon the progress he showed before getting hurt, and wings Rahlir Jefferson and Ramone Moore will both be called upon as well. Look for Temple to be one of the favorites in the A-10 and make a return trip to the Big Dance.

(8) Michigan: lost to Duke in the third round
John Beilein's Wolverines were a bit nervous on Selection Sunday but given their seed there wasn't much to worry about in Ann Arbor. Michigan blew out Tennessee in the second half of their matchup and if not for some issues down the stretch could have knocked off Duke for a trip to the Sweet 16. The good news for Michigan going into 2011-12: there wasn't one senior on the roster, meaning that everyone expected back will return. The hope is that Darius Morris returns as well, a possible the becomes more likely should he not hear what he wants from NBA executives. Morris, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jordan Morgan are three solid pieces to build around and with seven players playing at least 14 minutes per game the Wolverines will have a number of players with experience returning. Add in two very good perimeter recruits in Carlton Brundidge and Trey Burke, and tournament appearances may go back to being routine in Ann Arbor.

(9) Tennessee: lost on Michigan in the second round
There were questions about the direction of the Tennessee program leading up to their NCAA Tournament game, with AD Mike Hamilton being a little too forward in his comments about the future of head coach Bruce Pearl days before the contest. That all led to the Volunteers getting blown out, and while Michigan played well in the second half it didn't take a rocket science to see that the Vols did not bring it from an effort standpoint. Pearl was fired and in comes Cuonzo Martin, who led Missouri State to their first-ever MVC regular season title this season. Martin has heavy roster turnover to deal with as well, most notably the decisions of Tobias Harris (likely first round) and Scotty Hopson (projected second round) to turn pro. The most important job for Martin will be to shore up the roster, with Cameron Tatum being the returning leading scorer should Harris and Hopson remain in the draft. There's a strong possibility that the Volunteers are nowhere near the bubble come Selection Sunday in 2012.

(10) Penn State: lost to Temple in the second round
Ed DeChellis' Nittany Lions made things happen at just the right time, getting all the way to the Big Ten Tournament title game before falling to Ohio State. That earned them their first NCAA Tournament appearance in a decade, where they lost to Temple in the final seconds. Now comes a major rebuilding job with Talor Battle, Jeff Brooks, David Jackson and Andrew Jones all graduating. Guard Tim Frazier will be the leading returning scorer, and the heavy losses underline the bigger impact of the Taran Buie suspension (he likely won't be back next year). Jermaine Marshall, Billy Oliver and Cammeron Woodyard will have the opportunity to earn minutes next season, as will four incoming recruits (led by wing Ross Travis, point guard Trey Lewis and center Pat Ackerman). Look for 2011-12 to be a tough season in Happy Valley.

(11) Missouri: lost to Cincinnati in the second round
The Tigers ended up with an 11-seed due to their Big 12 road woes, and things may become even tougher next season with Colorado and Nebraska leaving the league (Missouri didn't beat either of those teams on the road either). Add in Mike Anderson moving on to take the job at Arkansas and it could be a tough season for new head coach Frank Haith. The good news for Haith, whose hiring has been panned by many, is that the majority of this year's team will be back. Marcus Denmon, Michael Dixon Jr. and Phil Pressey return while Laurence Bowers and Kim English have declared for the NBA Draft. Neither of those two have hired an agent and there's a strong likelihood they'll be back in Columbia as well. Add in forward Ricardo Ratliffe and Mizzou should be an NCAA Tournament team in 2011-12. How far they go will ultimately depend on the improvement shown in the rebounding department.

(12) Memphis: lost to Arizona in the second round
Josh Pastner's squad went through its fair share of growing pains, something that wasn't a total shock given the overall inexperience on the floor. The Tigers were able to get going at the right time and if not for the heroics of Derrick Williams Memphis could have won an NCAA Tournament game. Joe Jackson emerged as a leader at the point while Antonio Barton turned out to be a far better talent than many expected him to be. Add in an offseason for Will Barton and the rest of the freshmen to mature both physically and mentally, and Memphis should be the clear favorite to win Conference USA. The question mark: will Wesley Witherspoon step up and be the leader this group needs? If so Memphis can do an awful lot from a national aspect, with freshman Adonis Thomas bringing an awful lot to the table skill-wise. Keep an eye on the Tigers in 2011-12.

(13) Oakland: lost to Texas in the second round
Greg Kampe's experienced Golden Grizzlies won their second straight Summit League automatic bid but despite their talent could not slow down Texas in their matchup. While Oakland loses just three seniors what that trio brought to the table leaves a large hole in the roster. Keith Benson, Will Hudson and Larry Wright all move on with Benson being a likely first round draft pick, and Ledrick Eackles has decided to transfer. But there's still talent on campus with prolific guard Reggie Hamilton due back along with Travis Bader and Drew Valentine. Incoming freshman forward Dante Williams will have the opportunity to earn minutes on the wing as well shooting guard Matt Poches. Oakland may not be the favorite to win the Summit League in October, but the Golden Grizzlies will likely be a contender.

(14) Bucknell: lost to Connecticut in the second round
The Bison, winners of the Patriot League regular season and tournament titles, went into their matchup with Connecticut confident in their ability to slow down Kemba Walker and possibly pull off the upset. But they, as well as those who went far enough to pick the upset, received a heavy dose of reality in the 81-52 loss. But that shouldn't take away from what head coach Dave Paulsen and his team accomplished, as they won 25 games (13-1 league record) and had just three seniors on the roster. Replacing G.W. Boon and Darryl Shazier will be tough however, especially the leadership provided by Shazier at the point, but it can be done. Patriot League POY Mike Muscala returns as does guard Bryson Johnson, and overall five of Bucknell's top seven scores will be back. And if guards Steven Kasper and Joshea Singleton can contribute in their first year on campus Bucknell may repeat as Patriot League champ.

(15) Northern Colorado: lost to San Diego State in the second round
B.J. Hill's Bears made their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance this season, winning the Big Sky regular season and tournament titles thanks in large part to conference Player of the Year Devon Beitzel. But their top three scorers were all seniors (Neal Kingman and Chris Kaba the others), and along with starter Taylor Montgomery Northern Colorado has four starter to replace going into 2011-12. The lone returning starter is Elliott Lloyd, who averaged 7.5 points per game this season. He, Emmanuel Addo and Mike Proctor will need to step up, as will a five-player recruiting class headlined by center Brendan Keane and JUCO wing Aaron Hawk-Harris. Don't look for Northern Colorado to go 13-3 in conference play again next season, but they should at the very least take part in the six-team conference tournament.

(16) Hampton: lost to Duke in the second round
Edward Joyner Jr.'s Pirates did not win the MEAC regular season title but they were able to win the conference tournament, and they didn't exactly roll over for Duke either. Two starters move on in Charles Funches and Brandon Tunnell but they were the lone seniors on a team dominated by the junior class. Kwame Morgan II and Darrion Pellum led the team in scoring and will be back, as will Christopher Tolson whose contributions came in the sixth man role this season. Danny Agbelese is the leading returning rebounder with an average of six boards per game, and if they can get him some help in dealing with the departure of Funches the Pirates likely become the preseason favorites in the MEAC. Hampton's got just one player signed right now but given the overall depth that's OK.

Southwest Region Final Thoughts: What's in Store for 2011-12?

Raphielle Johnson — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 16:01:25 -0700

Next up in the short series of looking ahead to next season is the Southwest region, where things essentially went haywire the first weekend. Advancing to San Antonio was the top seed Kansas and seeds 10 through 12, and when the dust settled VCU won the region. A number of teams have some important personnel issues to address, but the Jayhawks won't be the lone team expected to contend for their league title out of this region in 2011-12. (1) Kansas: lost to VCU in the Elite 8
While most programs would happily accept a trip the regional final, that's not exactly the case for a Kansas squad that arrived in San Antonio with their road to Houston looking like a two-game cakewalk. They took care of Richmond, only to fall victim to VCU in the Elite 8. Now comes the roster turnovers, with the Morris twins and Josh Selby entering the NBA Draft, and seniors Mario Little, Brady Morningstar and Tyrel Reed graduating. That puts more on the shoulders of guards Tyshawn Taylor and Elijah Johnson in addition to forward Thomas Robinson, and the latter should be ready for the leading role. The recruiting class lacks in quantity but not in quality, with wing Ben McLemore and point guard Naadir Tharpe both expected to have an impact next season. Kansas will still be a player in the Big 12 race despite the heavy losses.

(2) Notre Dame: lost to Florida State in the third round
An outstanding season that featured their best finish as a Big East member (2nd) came to a screeching halt in their loss to the Seminoles, which surprised people more by the way in which it happened than the mere result. There will be two important losses to account for next season as Big East Player of the Year Ben Hansbrough and forward Tyrone Nash are out of eligibility, but there's a lot of experience returning as well. Tim Abromaitis, Eric Atkins, Jack Cooley, Scott Martin, and Carleton Scott will be expected to lead while redshirt Jerian Grant and incoming freshman Pat Connaughton will both have to help fill the large hole left in the lineup by Hansbrough. There may be other teams picked to win the Big East but don't sleep on Mike Brey's group as they should be pretty good next year.

(3) Purdue: lost to VCU in the third round
The Boilermakers first went through the process of being whipped by the Rams in Chicago, then had to deal with the drama that was the pursuit of head coach Matt Painter by Missouri. Painter decided to remain at his alma mater in a move most saw as angling for a new deal (which he received), but at least Purdue avoided a third critical loss heading into the offseason. Seniors JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore move on, leaving the team to Robbie Hummel (who missed this season with a torn ACL) and point guard Lewis Jackson. Patrick Bade, D.J. Byrd, Terone Johnson and Ryne Smith are four of the players who will be needed to step up next season, and the Boilers welcome two solid frontcourt players in Donnie Hale and Jacob Lawson. If Hummel can remain healthy the Boilers may not be a favorite in the Big Ten, but they'll likely slide in just behind Ohio State.

(4) Louisville: lost to Morehead State in the second round
Rick Pitino did one of the best coaching jobs in the nation this season, a campaign that began in rather embarrassing fashion for him. But he had a team that was far more unselfish than last year's group, and senior Preston Knowles emerged as the perfect leader for this group. But once he went down with just over nine minutes remaining the Cardinals lost their best offensive threat, ultimately falling to Morehead State in the second round. Knowles will leave big shoes to fill from a leadership standpoint but everyone else returns, including Terrence Jennings, Kyle Kuric and Peyton Siva. Add in an outstanding recruiting class led by Wayne Blackshear and Chane Behanan, and Rakeem Buckles and Josh Swopshire should be healthy, and it's not hard to see this team competing for a Big East title.

(5) Vanderbilt: lost to Richmond in the second round
The move from a four to a five-seed did little to help out the Commodores, who once again lost their first NCAA Tournament game (they were a four in losses to Siena and Murray State). Point guard play was an issue, with Kevin Stallings having to rely on Brad Tinsley as the primary option. That changes with Kedren Johnson's arrival, and along with Dai-John Parker Vandy brings in a very good freshman backcourt (Shelby Moats will likely figure in the frontcourt rotation). If John Jenkins and Jeffery Taylor decide to return this is a group that could be in the conversation with Kentucky atop the SEC East. Festus Ezeli, Lance Goulbourne, Rod Odom and Steve Tchiengang all return up front as well. If this group gets good play at the point and some added toughness they should hang around the NCAA Tournament substantially longer in 2012.

(6) Georgetown: lost to VCU in the second round
Georgetown's season went downhill the moment point guard Chris Wright broke his left hand in a loss to Cincinnati in February. Even though he was on the floor in the loss to VCU the Hoyas were ripe for the picking in that one. Now Wright and Austin Freeman move on as does big man Julian Vaughn, meaning that more responsibility falls on the shoulders of players such as Jason Clark, ante Lubick, Markel Starks and Hollis Thompson. Lubick, Jerrelle Benimon and Henry Sims will all need to step up inside, and they'll be helped out by the addition of Tyler Adams, Mikael Hopkins and Greg Whittington. Shooting guard Jabril Trawick will also figure into the plans for John Thompson III, and while they won't be picked in the upper echelon of the Big East the Hoyas should return to the Big Dance.

(7) Texas A&M: lost to Florida State in the second round
Mark Turgeon's Aggies had a good season, winning 24 games before being knocked out of the tournament by Florida State in the second round. And that was without consistent scoring from the backcourt. B.J. Holmes and Nathan Walkup are the two biggest losses for A&M next year, with David Lobeau and Khris Middleton being two of the key players expected to return. But who helps out Dash Harris in the backcourt will have a lot to do with how well the Aggies do in the reconfigured Big 12. The good news is that A&M did well on the recruiting trail, signing point guard Jamal Branch and shooting guard Jordan Green and both should be able to help out. A&M will be back in the Big Dance, the only question is how long they'll stick around.

(8) UNLV: lost to Illinois in the second round
Once again a promising season was derailed in the first NCAA Tournament game for UNLV, this time falling in surprising fashion to an Illinois squad that limped into the tournament. Now a program that has to make up for the loss of Derrick Jasper and Tre'Von Willis will also need to find a new head coach as Lon Kruger moved on to take the Oklahoma job. UNLV released a list of four finalists: Dave Rice (BYU assistant, played on the 1990 national title team), Reggie Theus (former head coach at New Mexico State, played under Jerry Tarkanian in the late-70s), St. John's assistant Mike Dunlap and former Oregon head coach Ernie Kent. Whoever gets the job should have some good pieces to work with (provided they stay) in Oscar Bellfield, Anthony Marshall, Chace Stanback and Quintrell Thomas. The Rebels are a likely tournament team as it stands right now, but it's tough to make that leap without knowing who AD Jim Livengood will hire.

(9) Illinois: lost to Kansas in the third round
The Fighting Illini, who disappointed for much of the year, popped up and surprised some people in their 73-62 win over UNLV in the second round. The veterans put forth a good fight to continue their college careers but Kansas proved to be too much, meaning that head coach Bruce Weber needs to go about replacing Mike Davis, Demetri McCamey and Mike Tisdale in addition to freshman Jereme Richmond (going pro and hiring an agent). But there's talent due back in Champaign, as Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson will need to step up as leaders. Crandall Head and Meyers Leonard should get more chances to make things happen as well, and a strong recruiting class (especially in the frontcourt) should help matters. Tracy Abrams, Mycheal Henry and Mike Shaw are three of the five incoming players, and after some early growing pains this could be a tournament team.

(10) Florida State: lost to VCU in the Sweet 16
Despite their offensive woes the Seminoles won two tournament games thanks in large part to the nation's best defense, and that was without Chris Singleton for most of February. Singleton has a decision to make in regards to the NBA Draft but with many expecting him to be a first round pick, it may be best for Leonard Hamilton to plan for 2011-12 without the junior coming back. Derwin Kitchen is the only actual (as of right now) departure of note, and if this team can improve it's offensive efficiency look out. Michael Snaer is due for a breakout campaign and Ian Miller should be better as a sophomore. The frontcourt will not lack for bodies and they've got a very good recruiting class as well (Antwan Space, Aaron Thomas and Terry Whisnant all highly-touted recruits). North Carolina will be the preseason favorite in the ACC, but on paper Florida State may merit consideration.

(11) USC: lost to VCU in the First Four
The Trojans somehow found themselves in the NCAA Tournament when few gave them a chance of earning an at-large bid in February, but their offensive woes were exposed by VCU in the First Four. Now comes the rebuilding job for Kevin O'Neill, and boy will he have his work cut out for him. Nikola Vucevic (leaving school early) and Alex Stepheson both move on, as do Donte Smith and Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Simmons. That means more work for Jio Fontan and Maurice Jones in the backcourt, and that pales in comparison to what the Trojans will need up front. Byron Wesley and Alexis Moore lead a four-member recruiting class that also has a seven-footer (James Blasczyk). It may be a long year in the Galen Center due in large part to the losses up front.

(11) VCU: lost to Butler in the Final Four
VCU didn't even have a team get-together on Selection Sunday but once selected Shaka Smart's team did not allow the opportunity to go to waste, getting all the way to the Final Four before falling to Butler. Coach Smart ignored the offers from other programs, signing an eight-year extension to remain in Richmond .That's good for both the Rams and the CAA, but there are also some important departures to account for this offseason as well. Four seniors (Ed Nixon, Joey Rodriguez, Brandon Rozzell and Jamie Skeen) were key contributors in the run to Houston, but there are some returning players who picked up valuable experience due back. The frontcourt looks to be in better shape with DJ Haley, Juvonte Reddic and Toby Veal returning, but guard Darius Theus should be a solid compliment to Bradford Burgess on the wing. Briante Weber and Treveon Graham should help on the perimeter as well, so look for VCU to once again be a factor in the CAA.

(12) Richmond: lost to Kansas in the Sweet 16
Chris Mooney found himself in a similar situation to Shaka Smart after his team's run to the second weekend, and like Smart he decided to remain in Richmond with a new deal. The Spiders also have some senior departures to account for, with Kevin Anderson, Dan Geriot, Justin Harper and Kevin Smith (all starters) moving on. Darien Brothers, Darius Garrett and Francis Martel will all be important figures next season for Richmond, who also welcome a pair of power forwards (Alonzo Nelson-Ododa and Luke Piotrowski) who have the ability to enhance the Spiders' interior play. Richmond likely misses the NCAA Tournament without that Atlantic 10 Tournament title, and they could find themselves in a similar position given the heavy senior losses.

(13) Morehead State: lost to Richmond in the third round
Led by seniors Kenneth Faried and Demonte Harper, Donnie Tyndall's Eagles won the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament and knocked off Louisville in the second round. Richmond ultimately had too much for them but that defeat shouldn't take away from their season. Add in Sam Goodman's 8.3 points per game and Morehead has to replace three of their top four scorers. The good news is that Terrance Hill and Ty Proffitt return and should make up one of the better backcourt tandems in the OVC, but if Drew Kelly and others are incapable of stepping up inside the Eagles may have issues. Coach Tyndall and his staff signed an eight-player class for this season, and there will be a need for some of those frontcourt guys (especially Jeff Drew) to step up in 2011-12.

(14) Saint Peter's: lost to Purdue in the second round
John Dunne's rebuilding plan delivered this March as the Peacocks rode their stifling defense to the MAAC Tournament title. Seniors Ryan Bacon, Jeron Belin, Wesley Jenkins and Nick Leon led the MAAC's best defensive team, and their departure leaves a huge hole in the Peacock rotation. So who steps up for SPC next season? One would have to start with guard Steven Samuels, who will be the team's leading returning scorer with an average of 7.1 points per game. Darius Conley started 25 games (moving Belin into the 6th man role sparked SPC's revival) and if Blaise Ffrench can remain healthy they'll have an answer at the point. Saint Peter's has just one commit thus far so there's work to be done with the unsigned guys who may remain, but either way it's tough to see this group being a favorite in the MAAC come October.

(15) Akron: lost to Notre Dame in the second round
The Zips once again reached the MAC Tournament title game, this time beating bitter rival Kent State in a close contest. Keith Dambrot's team ultimately fell to Notre Dame in the second round but that won't put a damper on things, and there should be enough talent returning for the Zips to make another run in 2011-12. Three of their top six scorers do move on in Brett McKnight, Steve McNees and Darryl Roberts, but Nikola Cvetinovic and Brett McClanahan will be back. And there's also seven-footer Zeke Marshall due back to patrol the inside. Marshall's shot blocking ability is well-known, and an offseason working on his offensive game and strength will make him even better as a junior. The MAC rarely has a runaway team during the regular season, so look for Akron to figure prominently in the discussions for conference champion come October.

(16) Boston University: lost to Kansas in the second round
John Holland helped lead the Terriers back to the NCAA Tournament, and while the senior was a First Team All-America East selection he wasn't the lone reason for BU's rise. Darryl Partin proved to be a capable sidekick with Jake O'Brien being lost for the year in January due to injury, and those two should make a formidable pairing next season. Holland is the lone personnel loss for Patrick Chambers' team, and with Patrick Hazel and Dom Morris joining O'Brien in the frontcourt the Terriers will likely be the preseason favorite in America East. Power forward James Kennedy will have the opportunity to earn minutes as a freshman but there shouldn't be much pressure on either he or guard Zach Chionuma to be "the answer" given BU's depth.

Southeast Region Final Thoughts: What's in Store for 2011-12?

Raphielle Johnson — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:26:20 -0700

Next up is the Southeast region, which contributed to the craziness of the NCAA Tournament beginning with Butler knocking off top-seed Pittsburgh in the third round. The question now is what's next for the entire region beginning with the Panthers, who welcome a solid recruiting class while also waiting to see what Ashton Gibbs' decision in regards to staying in the NBA Draft will be.

(1) Pittsburgh: lost to Butler in the third round
The Big East regular season champs had their season end in painful fashion, falling to eventual national runner-up Butler by a point in the third round. The Panthers will have some key figures to replace in Gilbert Brown, Gary McGhee and Brad Wanamaker, but there's enough talent at Jamie Dixon's disposal to make another run at a Big East title even if Ashton Gibbs remains in the NBA Draft. Travon Woodall was due to take over at the point regardless, and incoming freshmen Durand Johnson and John Johnson (no relation) have the ability to earn spots in the rotation. Lamar Patterson, Nasir Robinson (one of the most improved players in the Big East), Dante Taylor and Talib Zanna all return, and the addition of two of the best centers in the 2011 class (Khem Birch and Malcolm Gilbert) means that Pitt should once again be a major player in the Big East.

(2) Florida: lost to Butler in the regional final
Billy Donovan's team lived up to the preseason expectations, winning the SEC regular season title before losing in the conference tournament title game to Tennessee. Then came the NCAA Tournament, where they were knocked off in overtime by Butler, marking the end for three important frontcourt players. Vernon Macklin, Chandler Parsons and Alex Tyus all graduate, meaning that Erik Murphy, Will Yeguete and Patric Young will all need to be ready to go (Walter Pitchford could figure into the rotation too). The backcourt will be loaded with Kenny Boynton, Erving Walker and Scottie Wilbekin back, not to mention Mike Rosario (Rutgers transfer) and McDonald's All-America Bradley Beal joining the rotation. The Gators will be smaller, but if all parties involved manage to share the ball look out.

(3) BYU: lost to Florida in the Sweet 16
One of the greatest careers in the history of BYU comes to an end as All-America (and winner of multiple national Player of the Year awards) Jimmer Fredette departs. But the Cougars also have to replace Jackson Emery, whose career has come to an end as well. There's also the move to the West Coast Conference, where top contenders include Gonzaga, Saint Mary's and Santa Clara (the Broncos have nearly everyone back on a team that won the CollegeInsider.com Tournament). That simply means that more will be expected of forwards Charles Abouo and Noah Hartsock, especially with freshman Kyle Collinsworth going on his LDS mission. DeMarcus Harrison and UCLA transfer Matt Carlino will have a lot on their plates to start in the backcourt (can either play the point?) and Nate Austin leads three frontcourt players in their first season in Provo.

(4) Wisconsin: lost to Butler in the Sweet 16
The Badgers were a trendy pick by some to be a second round upset victim, which likely had more to do with who they were playing (Belmont) than anything else. But Bo Ryan's team took care of business, beating both the Bruins and Kansas State before falling to Butler in the Sweet 16. Going into next season there are two big frontcourt losses to address with Jon Leuer and Keaton Nankivil graduating, but Jordan Taylor and Josh Gasser return in the backcourt in addition to Mike Bruesewitz and Ryan Evans on the wing. Of their incoming recruits look for big men Jarrod Uthoff and Frank Kaminsky to be the most likely to crack the rotation, although guards Traevon Jackson and George Marshall aren't exactly chopped liver themselves (just may be tougher to crack the rotation on the perimeter). Every year people write off Coach Ryan's team when it comes to contending in the Big Ten, yet the find a way to do so regardless.

(5) Kansas State: lost to Wisconsin in the third round
2010-11 was a somewhat tumultuous year for Frank Martin's program, with the Wildcats dealing with a disappointing start, suspensions and defections by the time late January rolled around. But led by guard Jacob Pullen, K-State turned things around and won an NCAA Tournament game before falling to Wisconsin. Now they have to move on without Pullen, along with Curtis Kelly, and the biggest question is who steps up in a leadership role for next year's team. Jamar Samuels could be a logical choice in that area, and on the perimeter Rodney McGruder, Shane Southwell and Will Spradling will all need to step up as well. Jordan Henriquez-Roberts became an important part of the rotation as forwards left the team, and two solid frontcourt players arrive in Manhattan this summer as well (Thomas Gipson and Adrian Diaz). Point guard Angel Rodriguez should also compete for minutes, as will St. John's transfer Omari Lawrence.

(6) St. John's: lost to Gonzaga in the third round
Steve Lavin and his staff rejuvenated the city from a college basketball standpoint, giving ten seniors motivated to leave Queens with at least one notable accomplishment the direction needed to get back to the Big Dance. Their chances of winning in the NCAA Tournament went downhill when D.J. Kennedy tore his ACL in the first half of their Big East quarterfinal loss to Syracuse, and the absence of his versatility was painfully obvious in the loss to Gonzaga. Now he, Dwight Hardy and the rest of that class moves on, and replacing them is one of the nation's best recruiting classes. Nine players deep, this group is led by four very good small forwards (Amir Garrett, Maurice Harkless, Sir'Dominic Pointer and Jakarr Sampson) in addition to quality players at nearly every position on the floor. Add this group to Dwayne Polee Jr. and there will be growing pains, but at the very least the Red Storm are a significant conversation piece in the Big East again, and they'll be talented too.

(7) UCLA: lost to Florida in the third round
Despite questions at the point Ben Howland's team won 23 games and finished second in the Pac-10, and without a senior on this year's roster the future looks good for UCLA. However, Tyler Honeycutt will not be back as he'll hire an agent and remain in the NBA Draft, and Malcolm Lee also entered his name although he won't retain an agent. Once again the question for the Bruins will be at the point, where Lazeric Jones had moments where he looked more than capable of handling the job but struggled while dealing with injuries. Another year for he and Jerime Anderson should pay off, while up front Reeves Nelson and Joshua Smith have the ability to be the best frontcourt tandem in the conference. There are other contributors returning, and incoming freshman Norman Powell can be one of the best freshmen in the Pac-10. And don't forget about the Wear twins, who are eligible after transferring in from North Carolina. Look for UCLA to be the preseason favorite in the Pac-10 (defending champ Arizona will also have a case).

(8) Butler: lost to Connecticut in the national title game
Once again Brad Stevens' Bulldogs went on a run few envisioned before the NCAA Tournament began, beating three of the top four seeds in their region before ultimately putting forth their worst offensive performance of the season (and the worst in NCAA title game history) at the worst possible time. Three key seniors graduate, most notably forward Matt Howard (Zach Hahn and Shwan Vanzant are the others), and junior guard Shelvin Mack could have a decision to make in regards to the NBA Draft. Butler returns solid contributors such as guard Ronald Nored and forwards Khyle Marshall and Andrew Smith, and players such as Chrishawn Hopkins and Chase Stigall will also have opportunities to increase their contributions. And the incoming class is solid as well, led by Australian point guard Jackson Aldridge and wing Roosevelt Jones. Butler will once again be a favorite in the Horizon League.

(9) Old Dominion: lost to Butler in the second round
The CAA Tournament champions were led by a deep frontcourt and one of the best perimeter defenders few speak of in Kent Bazemore, but they fell at the buzzer to Butler in their first game. Luckily for Blaine Taylor, Bazemore will be back, but he's got to replace three of those key frontcourt players as Keyon Carter, Ben Finney and Frank Hassell all depart. Four of their top five scorers in total move on, meaning that Chris Cooper, Marquel De Lancey and Trian Iliadis all need to step up and help out Bazemore. Is a player such as Nick Wright capable of stepping up with more minutes? To say the least this will be a critical offseason for the returning forwards, who didn't see much time this season. Freshman Jason Pimentel from out of Montverde Academy stands to earn minutes next season, and the same likely goes for point guard Breon Key. Don't look for the Monarchs to be picked too high in the CAA but they'll likely be a factor in some form.

(10) Michigan State: lost to UCLA in the second round
It's safe to say that fans aren't too used to seeing a Tom Izzo-coached team finish its season with a 19-15 record, but that's exactly what happened in a disappointing campaign for the Spartans. Kalin Lucas played well late in the season but he moves on along with Durrell Summers and Mike Kebler, and sophomore center Garrick Sherman has decided to transfer. But there's still talent in East Lansing, led by do-it-all forward Draymond Green and guard Keith Appling. Derrick Nix, Adreian Payne and Delvon Roe are three of the bodies Izzo will look to inside next season, and things should be rejuvenated by a good recruiting class. Branden Dawson is the active player on the wing that seemed missing at times this season, and guards Dwaun Anderson and Brandan Kearney are two Michigan natives who can earn minutes as well. Don't expect this group to lose 15 games in 2011-12; they'll be pretty good.

(11) Gonzaga: lost to BYU in the third round
There were questions throughout the course of the season as to whether or not Mark Few's team would be good enough to earn an at-large bid, but the Bulldogs rendered that question moot as they won the WCC's automatic bid. And with just one senior departing, albeit an important senior (Steven Gray), there's a strong likelihood that Gonzaga is a better team next year. Sam Dower, Elias Harris, Kelly Olynyk and Robert Sacre all return in the frontcourt and the backcourt won't be bad either with Marquise Carter, Demetri Goodson and David Stockton returning as well. Add in a recruiting class that's strong in the backcourt (Gary Bell Jr. and Kevin Pangos lead the way) and look for the Bulldogs to be the preseason favorite in the WCC despite the arrival of BYU. The Cougars lose enough that it's easy to see Santa Clara being Gonzaga's biggest competition, but the Zags could be the unanimous choice in October.

(12) Utah State: lost to Kansas State in the second round
Just like Gonzaga the Aggies made sure to take care of business in their conference tournament, but a 30-win campaign ended in their first NCAA Tournament game. The key now for Stew Morrill is to replace six seniors who accomplished quite a bit in Logan, led by forward Tai Wesley and guard Pooh Williams. But the Aggies will still have some talented players to turn to next season, led by guard Brockeith Pane and forwards Morgan Grim and Brady Jardine. Utah State also addressed the frontcourt losses on the recruiting trail, adding centers Igor Premasunac and Jordan Stone in addition to power forward Kyisean Reed. Premasunac and Reed are both junior college transfers, and like Pane coming into this season they'll be expected to contribute early and often. Look for the Aggies to remain one of the favorites in the WAC.

(13) Belmont: lost to Wisconsin in the second round
Rick Byrd's Bruins were a trendy pick by many to pull off an upset in the NCAA Tournament, but much to their detriment Belmont drew the wrong matchup for them in the second round. The good news for the Bruins is that they return nearly everyone and were thought to be "one year away" at the start of 2010-11 anyway. Jordan Campbell and Jon House are the two seniors moving on but with so many players getting playing time this season (11 played at least 10 minutes/game) the Bruins should be able to account for those losses. Forwards Mick Hedgepeth and Scott Saunders form a very good tandem inside and guards Ian Clark and Kerron Johnson are two of the key cogs on the perimeter. With a better matchup in the NCAA tournament Belmont could very well win a game if not more next season.

(14) Wofford: lost to BYU in the second round
Despite the scoring of Charleston's Andrew Goudelock throughout the season it was Wofford who grabbed the Southern Conference's automatic bid, earning their second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. Noah Dahlmann led the way but he was one of five seniors that head coach Mike Young relied on, meaning that there's some rebuilding to be done as the Terriers approach 2011-12. Five of Wofford's top seven scorers were seniors, including Cameron Rundles and Jamar Diggs. Kevin Giltner and Brad Loesing will be the leading returning scorers, and there will be plenty of minutes up for grabs come October. Much will be expected of forward Drew Crowell, in addition to an incoming class that has two guards in Lucas Brown and Karl Cochran. A lot of work will need to be done if the Terriers are to return to the Big Dance.

(15) UC Santa Barbara: lost to Florida in the second round
Bob Williams' team had its issues in the regular season but the Gauchos got hot at just the right time, knocking off Big West regular season champion Long Beach State in the conference tournament final to earn an NCAA bid. Orlando Johnson (declared for NBA Draft but did not hire an agent) and James Nunnally led the way offensively as one of the most productive backcourt tandems in the nation, and both are due to return as seniors next season. Also expected back is the team's third-leading scorer in forward Jaime Serna, and the three seniors being lost combined for just over 13 points per game. The frontcourt will likely be bolstered by the addition of forwards Taran Brown and John Green, and point guard T.J. Taylor may be the best member of the incoming class. UCSB will once again be a favorite in the Big West.

(16) Arkansas-Little Rock: lost to UNC Asheville in the First Four
The Trojans found a way to survive the wild Sun Belt Tournament, with guard Solomon Bozeman knocking down the game-winning three pointer in the final seconds of the title game against North Texas. But now comes the hard part for Steve Shields and his staff, as he has to go about replacing the top three scorers from this team. Bozeman, Alex Garcia-Mendoza and Matt Mouzy all graduate, meaning that guards Daylon Guy and D'Andre Williams need to be ready to shoulder the offensive load. Courtney Jackson and Eric Kibi will be the leading returning rebounders for UALR, but it needs to be remembered that the Trojans were 7-9 in league play. A return trip could be a tall task for this team in 2011-12, and they're going to need contributions from incoming freshmen Michael Javes and James White.

(16) UNC Asheville: lost to Pittsburgh in the second round
Eddie Biedenbach's club was able to pick up a win in the First Four, coming back to force overtime before beating UALR in double overtime. The perimeter tandem of Matt Dickey and J.P. Primm led the way in that contest along with their run through the Big South Tournament, and those two will likely make the Bulldogs a favorite in the conference next year. John Williams, one of college basketball's best dunkers, is the lone major loss for UNC Asheville and the roster sets up to the point where the Bulldogs could go on a run over the next couple of seasons. Add in a recruiting class led by guards Keith Hornsby and Corey Littlejohn in addition to center Jaleel Roberts and the freshmen have the ability to make a difference as well. Not only can UNC Asheville get back to the tournament but they can also avoid the First Four.

East Region Final Thoughts: What's in Store for 2011-12?

Raphielle Johnson — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:06:01 -0700

With the NCAA Tournament now over and many resting up for a couple days before hitting the spring recruiting circuit (the Nike EYBL Boo Williams Invitational is this weekend), why not take a look at all 68 teams in this year's field and their early prospects for next season? With the NBA Draft deadline (May 8th) still a month away, here's a look at each of the teams in the East Region and what they'll likely have in 2011-12.

(1) Ohio State: lost in Sweet 16 to Kentucky
2011 ended in rough fashion for the Buckeyes, who were knocked out on a Brandon Knight shot in the final seconds of their regional semifinal battle in Newark. But moving forward it's easy to see Thad Matta's team ranking among the nation's best once again. While they do lose Jon Diebler, Dallas Lauderdale and David Lighty the cupboard will not be bare in Columbus. William Buford, Aaron Craft and Jared Sullinger are three of the returnees, and they once again bring in a highly-touted recruiting class ranked 4th by ESPN and led by point guard Shannon Scott and center Amir Williams. If the five freshmen can contribute (in addition to Deshaun Thomas) Ohio State will likely have more bodies to call on next season.

(2) North Carolina: lost in Elite 8 to Kentucky
The Tar Heels, who made their charge once Kendall Marshall earned the starting job at the point, are in the position of waiting for a key player to make an important decisions with regards to the NBA Draft. Harrison Barnes is projected to be a first round pick, but if he returns Roy Williams has one of the best teams in the country. John Henson and Tyler Zeller both announced today that they will be returning for the 2011-12 season, a big boost for the frontcourt. Marshall and Reggie Bullock (who missed the final month due to injury) will be back, along with a recruiting class led by P.J. Hairston and James McAdoo. If the Heels lose more than one player to the draft they'll still be very good, it just may take a little longer for them to reach their full potential.

(3) Syracuse Orange: lost to Marquette in the third round
Syracuse went the way of their guards this season, and when Scoop Jardine and Brandon Triche were quiet so was the rest of the team. Jim Boeheim will have to replace a warrior in Rick Jackson, but the progression of Fab Melo late in the season was an encouraging sign. Kris Joseph may have a decision to make in regards to the draft but most expect him to return. Add to this nucleus a rising sophomore class led by C.J. Fair and Dion Waiters and a very good recruiting class led by Michael Carter-Williams and Rakeem Christmas, and the Orange may very well be the preseason favorite in the Big East.

(4) Kentucky: lost in national semifinals to Connecticut
John Calipari's team reached heights few expected them to before the season began, getting all the way to the Final Four before having their worst offensive outing of the season in a loss to eventual champ UConn. Now comes the time when the Wildcats wait to see who will return to school. Terrence Jones, Brandon Knight and DeAndre Liggins all have decisions to make with regards to the NBA Draft, and if they all return to school UK could be one of the candidates for preseason number one. Add in the nation's top recruiting class boasting forwards Anthony Davis, Michael Gilchrist and Kyle Wiltjer along with point guard Marquis Teague and the Wildcats will definitely be heard from early and often. Look for Kentucky to be at the very least the favorite to win the SEC.

(5) West Virginia: lost to Kentucky in the third round
The Mountaineers had a solid season in 2010-11, winning 21 games (11 in the Big East) but they dropped two of their last three games. The good news for West Virginia is that they've got some key contributors slated to return, most notably guard Truck Bryant, wing Kevin Jones and big man Deniz Kilicli. They will need to step up leadership-wise as well with John Flowers and Joe Mazzulla out of eligibility, and it remains to be seen if Dalton Pepper can defend consistently enough to be a part of the rotation night in and night out. WVU also brings in a large recruiting class led by point guard Jabarie Hinds and forwards Tommie McCune and Keaton Miles. Bob Huggins will not lack for options next season.

(6) Xavier: lost to Marquette in the second round
The season came to a disappointing end for the Musketeers, who were bounced in the Atlantic 10 quarterfinals and then fell to Marquette in their first NCAA Tournament game. But the good news is that they lose just two seniors of note (guard Dante Jackson and forward Jamel McLean), and the backcourt tandem of Tu Holloway and Mark Lyons will be the best in the A-10. Jeff Robinson had a promising sophomore campaign and will pair up with Kenny Frease in the frontcourt. And sharpshooter Brad Redford returns after missing all of this season with a torn ACL. Chris Mack welcomes a solid recruiting class led by 6-4 wing Dezmine Wells, with guard Dee Davis and power forward Jalen Reynolds completing the class.

(7) Washington: lost to North Carolina in the third round
For the second consecutive season the Huskies rebounded from an inconsistent regular season to grab the Pac-10's automatic bid, winning the Pac-10 Tournament on an Isaiah Thomas jumper as time expired. They hung on to beat Georgia but had some moments of brain lock late in their close loss to North Carolina. Now Lorenzo Romar needs to replace four key contributors: Thomas, who entered the NBA Draft and will hire an agent, along with seniors Matthew Bryan-Amaning, Justin Holiday and Venoy Overton. Abdul Gaddy (torn ACL) and C.J. Wilcox return in the backcourt and the frontcourt shouldn't lack for depth either. Add in a recruiting class led by guards Hikeem Stewart and Tony Wroten Jr. and the Huskies should be a factor in the league race.

(8) George Mason: lost to Ohio State in the third round
While VCU grabbed the headlines in the NCAA Tournament it must be noted that Jim Larranaga's team won the CAA regular season title by two games. The Patriots lose just one starter (leading scorer as well) in Cam Long, and valuable reserve Isaiah Tate also graduates. But forwards Luke Hancock and Ryan Pearson along with guard Andre Cornelius all return. The key for the Patriots will be how many reserves step up. Bryon Allen, Paris Bennett and Vertail Vaughns are just three of the options for George Mason, and they have a pair of recruits from the New York metropolitan area slated to be on campus as well in guard Corey Edwards and wing Vaughn Gray. Look for George Mason to be one of the teams expected to contend in the CAA.

(9) Villanova: lost to George Mason in the second round
For the second straight year Jay Wright's Wildcats embarked on a steady decline down the stretch, losing six straight and eight of their last ten games. Villanova does lose three seniors from their rotation (Corey Fisher, Antonio Pena and Corey Stokes), but there will be talent returning to campus. Maalik Wayns will be back (some thought he was declaring himself eligible for the NBA Draft but he won't), as will Mouphtaou Yarou, and Isaiah Armwood, James Bell and Dominic Cheek should also figure into the rotation. Add in a very good recruiting class led by guard Tyrone Johnson and center Markus Kennedy and the Wildcats have a shot at being very good in 2011-12. But the chemistry needs to be there, something that's seemed to be off since their Final Four run in 2009.

(10) Georgia: lost to Washington in the second round
Mark Fox's team found a way to squeak into the NCAA Tournament, where they came back in the second half before falling to Washington in the second round. Now they've got to go about replacing some key cogs in the attack, with Travis Leslie (no agent) and Trey Thompkins (will hire an agent) both declaring themselves eligible for the draft. Also leaving are forwards Chris Barnes and Jeremy Price, meaning that newcomers such as Nemanja Djurisic and John Florveus will need to show themselves ready for the SEC sooner rather than later. On the perimeter Gerald Robinson Jr. and Dustin Ware will be back, and the task of replacing Leslie may be made easier by the addition of McDonald's All-America Kentavious Caldwell. NCAA Tournament trips could become a common occurrence in Athens.

(11) Marquette: lost to North Carolina in the Sweet 16
Buzz Williams' team found a way to get into the NCAA Tournament, winning 22 games and getting to the Sweet 16 where they were overmatched against a bigger North Carolina team. But the Golden Eagles play hard for 40 minutes, something that keeps them in nearly every game they play in. Jimmy Butler, Dwight Buycks and Joseph Fulce all graduate so there will be some holes to fill, but there are a number of contributors slated to return. Vander Blue, Junior Cadougan and Darius Johnson-Odom will handle things on the perimeter, and Oregon transfer Jamil Wilson along will Jamail Jones add more attacking wings to a frontcourt led by Jae Crowder. Davante Gardner played well in March as did Chris Otule, and their incoming recruits aren't slouches either. Juan Anderson could be a Big East All-Rookie Team candidate while guards Todd Mayo and Derrick Wilson could contribute as well.

(12) Clemson: lost to West Virginia in the second round
In Brad Brownell's first season the Tigers were able to get into the NCAA Tournament, beating UAB before falling to West Virginia with a small bit of blame going towards the bad decision to have Clemson play at noon just two days after playing the late game in Dayton. Forward Jerai Grant and guard Demontez Stitt both graduate but they'll have talent returning, led by guard Andre Young and forwards Devin Booker and Milton Jennings. Bryan Narcisse and Tanner Smith also played important roles this season for the Tigers, who will also welcome in a soild recruiting class. Point guard Daniel Sapp and power forward Bernard Sullivan are two of the key players arriving on campus, and wing Kevin McDaniels also has the opportunity to crack the rotation. Another NCAA berth is more than possible in 2011-12.

(12) UAB: lost to Clemson in the First Four
There were more than a few vocal critics of the Blazers' inclusion in the field of 68, and they certainly didn't help matters by being whipped soundly by Clemson in Dayton. But Mike Davis' team did win the Conference USA regular season crown thanks in large part to the leadership of senior point guard Aaron Johnson. Johnson and leading scorer Jamarr Sanders both graduate, adding more to the workload for leading returnees Cameron Moore and Ovie Soko. There may not be as much depth in Birmingham next season (and as of right now they've got just two players in their 2011 recruiting class) but the Blazers could be a factor in C-USA. Tough to see them being an NCAA Tournament team as of right now, however.

(13) Princeton: lost to Kentucky in the second round
The Tigers were able to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004 and very nearly knocked off the Wildcats, losing on a Brandon Knight basket in the final seconds. Now, a team that loses Dan Mavraides and Kareem Maddox will also have to find a new head coach as Sydney Johnson moved on to take the job at Fairfield. Rising seniors Doug Davis and Patrick Saunders are two key cogs expected to be back next season, and with the right coaching hire the Tigers could once again be a factor in the Ivy League, but many will pick Harvard to win the Ancient Eight come October.

(14) Indiana State: lost to Syracuse in the second round
Greg Lansing did an outstanding job with the Sycamores this season, leading them to their best regular season finish in the MVC in more than a decade and their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2001. ISU will lose three seniors (Aaron Carter, Jake Kelly and Isiah Martin) but they've got more than enough slated to return to campus, led by point guard Jake Odum, wings Dwayne Lathan and Carl Richard, and forward Myles Walker. Slender forward Justin Gant is the lone member of their incoming class right now but even with the lean recruiting haul look for the Sycamores to once again be a player in the MVC.

(15) Long Island: lost to North Carolina in the second round
The Blackbirds had an outstanding season, winning 27 games overall in addition to the NEC regular season and tournament titles. Forwards Julian Boyd and Jamal Olasewere were key figures, as were wings David Hicks and Kyle Johnson. Point guard Jason Brickman and C.J. Garner brought different skill sets to the table and that's what made the Blackbirds such a tough team to deal with throughout the course of the season. But with Hicks and Johnson graduating they'll need a couple wings to step up next season, led by Michael Culpo. LIU has just one incoming recruit (guard Gerrell Martin) as of right now but they've got more than enough experience to make another run at the NEC crown. Luckily for LIU head coach Jim Ferry turned down the Manhattan job, allowing the program to build on 2010-11 with the same man in charge.

(16) Alabama State: lost to UTSA in the First Four
The Hornets, who were the four-seed in the SWAC Tournament, knocked off top seed Texas Southern in the semis before taking care of Grambling State in the title game to get to the Big Dance. Lewis Jackson's team featured balanced scoring with five players averaging at least six points per game and two in double figures (Tramaine Butler and Tramayne Moorer). Moorer, who only played in 16 games due to NCAA issues, is the lone senior who was a major contributor this season meaning that the Hornets will be expected to finish higher than fourth in the SWAC next season. Look for Chris Duncan and Kenderek Washington to be two key factors alongside Butler in 2011-12.

(16) Texas-San Antonio: lost to Ohio State in the second round
Despite going 9-7 in Southland play the Roadrunners were able to get hot at just the right time, winning five straight games going into their First Four matchup with Alabama State. Melvin Johnson III went off in the first half of that contest and UTSA held on to earn a matchup with top overall seed Ohio State. Brooks Thompson earned his first NCAA bid as a head coach but the question now is whether or not UTSA can make a return trip next season. Johnson III will be a junior and leading scorer Devin Gibson is the only key departure for this group, with Jeromie Hill ranking third on the team in scoring as a freshman. So the answer is yes, although the Roadrunners will not have an easy time getting through the Southland.